‘Waiting on’ Wednesday – May 8

This is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine. In this post we highlight a book that’s highly anticipated.

The book that I’m waiting on this Wednesday is Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson. The release date is June 4, 2019.

Goodreads Synopsis:

All sorcerers are evil. Elisabeth has known that as long as she has known anything. Raised as a foundling in one of Austermeer’s Great Libraries, Elisabeth has grown up among the tools of sorcery—magical grimoires that whisper on shelves and rattle beneath iron chains. If provoked, they transform into grotesque monsters of ink and leather. She hopes to become a warden, charged with protecting the kingdom from their power.

Then an act of sabotage releases the library’s most dangerous grimoire. Elisabeth’s desperate intervention implicates her in the crime, and she is torn from her home to face justice in the capital. With no one to turn to but her sworn enemy, the sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn, and his mysterious demonic servant, she finds herself entangled in a centuries-old conspiracy. Not only could the Great Libraries go up in flames, but the world along with them.

As her alliance with Nathaniel grows stronger, Elisabeth starts to question everything she’s been taught—about sorcerers, about the libraries she loves, even about herself. For Elisabeth has a power she has never guessed, and a future she could never have imagined.

What books are you waiting on this week?

Top 5 Wednesday – Mother Figures

This meme is hosted by Lainey from Thoughts on Tomes. The Goodreads Group for Top 5 Wednesday can be found here.

This week’s prompt is Mother Figures. These are some memorable literary mother figures, either for their great skills or lack of skills… Here’s my list:

1. Molly Weasley (Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling)

https://www.pottermore.com/features/mrs-weasleys-defining-moments-from-boggarts-to-bellatrix

2. Margot Covey (To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han)

https://to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before.fandom.com/wiki/Margot_Covey

3. Mrs. Bennet (Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/prideandprejudice/characters/mrs_bennet_person_page.shtml

4. Queen Clarisse (The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot)

https://d23.com/5-etiquette-rules-from-queen-clarisse-renaldi/

5. Queen Levana (The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer)

https://lunarchronicles.fandom.com/wiki/Levana_Blackburn

Who do you think are the most memorable mother figures in books?

Review: The Sea of Monsters: The Graphic Novel (Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Graphic Novels #2)

Title: The Sea of Monsters: The Graphic Novel (Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Graphic Novels #2)
Author: Rick Riordan, Robert Venditti
Genre: Young Adult, Graphic Novel, Fantasy
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Source: Library
Format: Ebook
Release Date: July 2, 2013
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Seventh grade has been surprisingly quiet for Percy Jackson. Not a single monster has set foot on his New York prep-school campus. But when an innocent game of dodgeball among Percy and his classmates turns into a death match against an ugly gang of cannibal giants, things get…well, ugly. And the unexpected arrival of his friend Annabeth brings more bad news: the magical borders that protect Camp Half-Blood have been poisoned by a mysterious enemy, and unless a cure is found, the only safe haven for demigods will be destroyed. 

In the follow-up to the wildly popular The Lightning Thief, The Graphic Novel, Percy and his friends must journey into the Sea of Monsters to save their camp. But first, Percy will discover a stunning new secret about his family–one that makes him question whether being claimed as Poseidon’s son is an honor or simply a cruel joke. 

Featuring a faithful adaptation by Robert Venditti, stunning artwork by Attila Futaki, and sumptuous colors by newcomer Tamas Gaspar, Rick Riordan’s blockbuster book comes to life in The Sea of Monsters, The Graphic Novel. 

Review:

This was a fun graphic novel!

I loved the original novel, The Sea of Monsters. It mirrors the epic poem The Odyssey by Homer. In the Odyssey, Odysseus faces many challenges on his way home from the Trojan war, including surviving encounters with the sorceress Circe and the cyclops Polyphemus. In this story, Percy goes on a quest with his friends to save his friend Grover and retrieve the Golden Fleece to save his camp. He also encounters Circe and Polyphemus on his journey.

This graphic novel was true to the novel. It has been a while since I read the novel, but this story was exactly the way I remembered it. The graphics were detailed as well. I loved seeing these characters come to life on the page.

I loved this graphic novel! I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

What to read next:

The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #2) by Rick Riordan

The Titan’s Curse: The Graphic Novel (Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Graphic Novels #3) by Rick Riordan, Robert Venditti

Have you read The Sea of Monsters: The Graphic Novel? What did you think of it?

Top Ten Tuesday – Characters That Remind Me of Myself

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and it is now hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s theme is Characters That Remind Me of Myself. Here’s my list:

1. Hermione Granger (Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling)

2. Lily Moscovitz (The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot)

3. Lena Kaligaris (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares)

4. Catherine Morland (Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen)

5. Bess Marvin (Nancy Drew series by Carolyn Keene)

6. Betty Cooper (Betty and Veronica by Adam Hughes)

7. Aria Montgomery (Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard)

8. Gertrude Yorkes (Runaways, Vol. 1: Find Your Way Home by Rainbow Rowell, Kris Anka)

9. Violet Beaudelaire (The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket)

10. Batgirl (Batgirl at Super Hero High by Lisa Yee)

(All photos taken from Goodreads)

Review: Mya’s Strategy to Save The World

Title: Mya’s Strategy to Save the World
Author: Tanya Lloyd Kyi
Genre: Middle Grade, Contemporary
Publisher: Penguin Random House Canada
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: April 30, 2019
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Twelve-year-old Mya Parsons could save the world and organize her family, if only she had her own cell phone. A Dork Diaries for today’s socially conscious young readers.

Mya Parsons runs her school’s social justice club with her best friend, Cleo. Her lifelong desire is to work for the United Nations and change the world, and then bask in all the ensuing adulation. Her more immediate desire is to get a phone, preferably one like Cleo’s, with a leopard-print case to match. When her distracted dad and her long-distance mom (temporarily in Myanmar taking care of Mya’s grandmother) both say no, no way, and possibly never, Mya launches a campaign to prove herself reliable and deserving. She advertises her babysitting services, takes on more responsibility around the house, and attempts to supervise her sister’s skateboarding lessons. Her efforts leave her ego bruised and the kitchen slightly scorched. She’s no closer to touch-screen victory, let alone the Nobel Peace Prize she deserves. But all that changes after an accident leaves Mya to take charge–an experience which helps her realize how much she’s grown, with or without access to proper communications.

Review:

I really enjoyed this book! Mya has an easygoing, simple way of narrating, which made the story a quick read.

Mya is a great character. She has a good heart, but she also has flaws. Her dream is to work in the United Nations, so she spends a lot of her time researching social justice issues throughout the world. Her mother is in Myanmar during the story, so she has a close relation to things that are happening there. At the same time, Mya doesn’t always treat everyone fairly. She could be selfish at times, such as when she didn’t want to help her dad with chores when he was swamped with work. This balance of good qualities and flaws made her a realistic character.

I loved the way that Mya was very tuned into what was happening in the world. It is important for kids to know what problems people in different parts of the world are facing in their daily lives, and how it can affect themselves. For example, she found out that children have to mine cobalt in Africa, which is then used to make cell phones. That made her rethink her priorities.

I think Mya is a relatable character. This story was a lot of fun to read!

Thank you Penguin Random House Canada for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What to read next:

The Becket List: A Blackberry Farm Story by Adele Griffin, LeUyen Pham

Best Babysitters Ever by Caroline Cala

Have you read Mya’s Strategy to Save the World? What did you think of it?

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? – May 6

This blog meme is hosted by Book Date. It is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week.  It’s a great post to organize yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment, and er… add to that ever growing TBR pile!

What I just finished:

This weekend I finished Mya’s Strategy to Save the World by Tanya Lloyd Kyi.

What I’m currently reading:

I’m currently reading Nocturna (A Forgery of Magic #1) by Maya Motayne.

What I’m reading next:

Next I will be reading Kings, Queens, and In-Betweens by Tanya Boteju.

What are you guys reading this week? Have you read any of these books?

Jill’s Weekly Wrap-Up – May 5

Here are my reviews for the week with my ratings:

I did 9 weekly blogging memes:

How was your week? What did you guys read?

Sundays in Bed With… Nocturna

The meme that dares to ask what book has been in your bed this morning? Come share what book you’ve spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today! This meme is hosted by Midnight Book Girl.

This Sunday I’m reading Nocturna (A Forgery of Magic #1) by Maya Motayne.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Set in a Latinx-inspired world, a face-changing thief and a risk-taking prince must team up to defeat a powerful evil they accidentally unleashed.

To Finn Voy, magic is two things: a knife to hold under the chin of anyone who crosses her…and a disguise she shrugs on as easily as others pull on cloaks.

As a talented faceshifter, it’s been years since Finn has seen her own face, and that’s exactly how she likes it. But when Finn gets caught by a powerful mobster, she’s forced into an impossible mission: steal a legendary treasure from Castallan’s royal palace or be stripped of her magic forever.

After the murder of his older brother, Prince Alfehr is first in line for the Castallan throne. But Alfie can’t help but feel that he will never live up to his brother’s legacy. Riddled with grief, Alfie is obsessed with finding a way to bring his brother back, even if it means dabbling in forbidden magic.

But when Finn and Alfie’s fates collide, they accidentally unlock a terrible, ancient power—which, if not contained, will devour the world. And with Castallan’s fate in their hands, Alfie and Finn must race to vanquish what they have unleashed, even if it means facing the deepest darkness in their pasts.

What book are you in bed with today?

Six for Sunday – 2018 Books Still Unread

This meme is hosted by Steph at A little but a lot. The weekly prompts for 2019 can be found here.

This week’s prompt is 2018 Books Still Unread. Here’s my list:

1. Sanctuary by Carin Lix

2. An Ocean of Minutes by Thea Lim

3. All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover

4. The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware

5. Sky in The Deep by Adrienne Young

6. Shadowsong by S. Jae-Jones

Did you write a #SixforSunday post? What was your list of 2018 Books Still Unread?

Review: Carmilla

Title: Carmilla
Author: Kim Turrisi
Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: May 7, 2019
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

An adaptation of Shaftesbury’s award-winning, groundbreaking queer vampire web series of the same name, Carmilla mixes the camp of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the snark of Veronica Mars, and the mysterious atmosphere of Welcome to Nightvale. Newly escaped from the stifling boredom of a small town, college freshman Laura is ready to make the most of her first year at Silas University. But when her roommate, Betty, vanishes and a sarcastic, nocturnal philosophy student named Carmilla moves into Betty’s side of the room, Laura decides to play detective. Turns out Betty isn’t the first girl to go missing ? she’s just the first girl not to come back. All over campus, girls have been vanishing, and they are completely changed when (or if) they return. Even more disturbing are the strange dreams they recount: smothering darkness, and a strange pale figure haunting their rooms. Dreams that Laura is starting to have herself. As Laura closes in on the answers, tensions rise with Carmilla. Is this just a roommate relationship that isn’t working out, or does Carmilla know more than she’s letting on about the disappearances? What will Laura do if it turns out her roommate isn’t just selfish and insensitive, but completely inhuman? And what will she do with the feelings she’s starting to have for Carmilla? Produced by Shaftesbury, and available on the YouTube channel KindaTV, Carmilla is a global sensation. A scripted transmedia series that puts a modern spin on the cult-classic gothic vampire novella by Joseph Sheridan LeFanu, Carmilla has generated over 71 million views and 245 million minutes of watch time across three seasons since its launch in 2014. It has been translated into more than 20 languages and also been made into a feature film. Author Kim Turrisi brings her trademark humor and sensitivity to an adaptation that offers a deep dive for existing fans and a portal for new fans around the world. 

Review:

I read Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu years ago when I was in university. I loved the book! I was always fascinated with it because it is a vampire story that came out years before Dracula. Carmilla was the original vampire story.

This story was a fun adaptation. I haven’t read a vampire story in years! There were some serious parts, but many things were quite funny. In particular, the frat boys were funny. They insisted on “protecting” the girls from whoever was kidnapping the other students, but they always showed up when they weren’t wanted.

This story is also an adaptation of a Canadian movie. It didn’t read like an adaptation of a movie. I’ve read other books that were written after a movie, and they weren’t as well written. They often sound like the closed captions that would go with the movie. This book was like an original story.

I really enjoyed this story. I’m going to watch the movie version next!

What to read next:

Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu

Just a Normal Tuesday by Kim Turrisi

Have you read Carmilla? What did you think of it?